Promoting The Patient's Dignity And Preventing Caregiver Injury While Caring for A Morbidly Obese Woman with Skin Tears And A Pressure Ulcer

Expressing compassion is a universal nursing value, but the inability to adequately provide safe, competent care threatens the very essence of nursing. We report a clinical situation wherein nurses and other clinicians were given appropriate tools and resources necessary to care for a very medically complex morbidly obese patient. The role of dignity in managing the needs of patients, families, and caregivers is discussed. Common obesity-related skin challenges are described. Strategies for preventing caregiver injury while promoting patient safety, including prevention of skin injury, are presented. The input of nurses in performance improvement efforts can serve as a catalyst to implementing a hospital-wide process in which satisfaction, cost, and therapeutic outcomes are addressed as indicators of improved care.